The Ninety-Nine #1
From: Teshkeel Comics
Written by: Naif Al-Mutawa & Fabian Nicieza
Art by: John McCrea and Jason Dennis
Reviewed by Tim Janson

Teshkeel Comics took a rather innovative approach to marketing their debut comic The Ninety-Nine by giving away not one, but two, 48 page issues for free. Teshkeel is a Middle Eastern-based media company and The Ninety-Nine is its debut comic title featuring predominantly Muslim characters in a traditional superhero comic book. Co-writer Naif Al-Mutawa noted in the first free special that the concept of a superhero was unknown in Muslim culture and this was his attempt at creating the first superhero geared towards, but certainly not limited to, a Middle Eastern audience. In fact, I'd say that the creative team has been very careful to not make the book too limiting in scope. While they may want to create the first team of Middle Eastern superheroes, they also seem to know full well that in order to sell comics, you have to appeal to the broader, Western audience.

To read the full review, click here.